2023 Grassroots enduro series

Ceepo

Though I would start a thread for the 2023 Grassroots enduro series.

The date's and venues were announced recently for the GR series.

I'm reasonably new to Mountain biking but done some of the grassroots last year and really enjoyed them. I see that there is 5 rounds for 2023 and some new venues as well.

I'd love to hear some people's thoughts on the new venue's and some of the tracks that might be used as well.

I believe that they have increased the entries to 240 where venues can manage the numbers allowing for parking etc. This might help with with with trying to actually get an entry to do the race.

I also hear that where a venue have the track and logistics allows, they can have a 4th stage.

I would hope to do a few if not all of them, anyone else planning to do any of them.

Top Dog

Double post for some reason

Top Dog

Having started a thread about it, and getting lots of encouragement on here, I'm hoping to give it a shot in the new year. Never raced on the bike before so it'll be an experience. Hope to enter Killaloe and depending on how that goes I might do more or i might sell the bike 😅

Any idea when entries open, and do they usually sell out quickly?

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119954491#Comment_119954491

As I didn't want to highjack your original thread I said I'd start a specific one🤔😂

Last year (from memory) they opened 2 or 3 weeks before each individual event. Out of the 4 events last year 3 of them sold out in minutes or even less than that. With only Ballinaboola taking a bit longer to sell out. But Ballinaboola did have extra places so that's probably the reason. For 2023, there will be extra places where venues can accommodate them and with an extra race this might help with to alleviate some of the stress of entering.

I definitely think you should give them a go. From my limit expectations and also a newbie, It's a very relaxed and encouraging atmosphere, nobody really cares if your slow or quick, or how much your bike cost.

Ceepo

I actually meant to update on here after last weekends 1st round in Killaloe.

I'll start off by saying I'm fairly new to mountain biking and had a nasty crash at Xmas, which had me off the bike for 8 weeks, so the confidence was low and the nerves were high.

Parking was straight forward and only across from the wood entrance, a short peddle up to race reg. There was a bit if a que forming there, but some of the marshals came down through the que with a printed name/number sheet, and went back to collect the numbers. This helped to speed things up a bit. Next stop, get the timing chip thingy.

I was with 2 mates so we headed to run 1. I have to say the views on the way up were stunning. There was a bit of a push up to the start, but no real que there, about 5/6 in front of us. That lads are way better that me so off they went before me. Top section was rocky and lot's roots, took a while to for me to relax, started to loosen out after a bit, but wasn't carrying much speed. Trails were greasy and wet which didn't help my confidence. We crossed a fire road and went over a bit of a rock slab that caught a lot of people out, thankfully I had no dramas.

On to No2, again a push up to it, (I hate pushing up. The top again was very slippy and slow for me. I did get going after about 200m, and felt I was going well (for me) passed the 50m to finish sign and had a front wheel wash out, nothing major, picked myself up and dusted myself off and went over the line.

On to no3. Again another push up. Did I mention I don't like pushing up hill. Not much of a que so got going fairly quickly. Pushed off and couldn't get clipped in for and 150m, even after multiple attempts. Eventually got clipped in and could finally focus on the track and not my pedal. There was a some steep sections on this track with a nice steep drop down over rocks, but there was an option to go around it. Thankfully no drama on the one either.

Run no4. Short transition to it and a short track. I think it was only about 400m. I got to see Oisin O Callaghan dropping in. Man that lad can move. Nice track and felt I done ok on it. (for me).

Met up with my mates for a bit of chin wag to see what the plan was. We decided to do no 2 again as we felt this is one we could go a little quicker on, and no4 as this was easy enough to get to and was short. I feel I was a bit quicker on no2, but not no4, but it was a fun little track.

Ended up with about 20k on the clock and about 1000m of climbing.

A very enjoyable day out with no real dramatics. Few sketchy moments alright but sure that's mountain biking I suppose. I'd so add that the tracks were definitely on the harder side of Grassroots but I'm sure the weather added to that. They were all rated 5/5, with some steep enough sections on them. But as is I saying it was a good day out. Unfortunately I won't be going to the next round.

My next one for me will be in Clonmel on 21st May. Really looking forward to that one.

Credit to Lmbc for the organisation, everything seemed to run smoothly from what I can tell. Always a sign that there was serious work done in the back ground.

Wailin

Nice write up. Never made it myself and won't be doing mullaghmean either but hopefully will get in for the clonmel one.

xxyyzz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120459485#Comment_120459485

Good job, Killaloe is always that bit more full-on and not for the faint-hearted.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120468392#Comment_120468392

I didn't realise that it was a bit more full on tb. Now I'm not really complaining either. I'd much prefer the more natural stuff that the trail center trails tbh. I'd like to think that I'll make it back up there again over the summer months for another spin.

xxyyzz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120469878#Comment_120469878

Yeah, keeper hill is worth checking out if you're in that neck of the woods also. Not as steep as Killaloe but some great trails. The Limerick lads know what they're at with trailbuilding.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120470085#Comment_120470085

I have actually been there a few times., including the grassroots last year, Definitely not as steep, and as you say, very well built trails. Nasty push up there as well though 🤣.

Have you been to Clonmel?

Ceepo

Well I didn't end up going today away, and boy am I fair glad too. I was chatting to a few lads and seen some videos and pictures from there. Mudfest is a word some would use to describe it. Seen lads having to lift bikes through sections of trail. There saying that the mud actually clogged up there wheels, and had to stop and try clear it out. One of the lads ripped of his mudguard in temper 🤣.

Did anyone from these parts go?

Wailin

One of the girls from our club went. She did not enjoy it one iota! She almost gave up after stage 1 but finished it out and got on the podium.

Stage 3 in particular was awful with loads having to carry the bike for a good section at the end due to all the muck clogged in the wheels. I had a feeling this was going to be a shite venue to be honest.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120512730#Comment_120512730

Or really why did you think that.? I'm sure the rain yesterday evening didn't help the cause. That said the ground mustn't be good there

Ceepo

I see that entries are going on sale on Monday 1st May for the next round in Clonmel on the 21 May.

Anyone from these parts planning to take part?

As these are my local trails I'm really looking forward to the event. I know I wouldn't get a full days riding in as I'll be helping out on the day, but should get in all 3 stages once anyway.

Happy to answer a few questions if anyone has any.

Ceepo

Entries for Clonmel see out in just a few minutes.

Did anyone form these parts get one?

Wailin

Yeah, got in alright. Never been down that neck of the woods so unchartered territory!

Ceepo, where exactly are the trails, cannonhill?

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120544692#Comment_120544692

That's great that you got in. I k ow of a few locally that missed out.

If you're planning a trip down before the race, I'd be glad to show you around.

To be honest there are loads of trails there. You could probably give the full day there and not ride the same trail twice. The trails that being used for the race are at the Russsletown side of the hill. Carey's Castle Forest Recreational Area

There is a few options for parking as well. You can park in the Careys Castle car park, as its fairly central to all the trails. The trails being used are "Full Trottle" "Thunderstruck" and a modified version of "Two Cats"

Sorry I was trying to give you a pin drop but I can't seem to do it on here.

There is a nice little edit clip of the trails on Clonmel mbt IG page.

Wailin

That's great info, thanks very much Ceepo. I'm not sure if I can get down before the actual enduro but very kind of you to offer, thanks. If I do manage to get down I'll let you know and if you're free that would be great 👍

Wailin

@Ceepo What are the trails like in general for the enduro? Steep/gnarly, fast/flowy etc?

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120558347#Comment_120558347

Tight and techy would be the most accurate description I'd say. Very little in the way of gnarly stuff. Small bit yankkey in places but thats to be expected. It could also suit the more physical and fitter rider more so that some one doing that only used of shorter runs. You would comfortably do all in less that 2hrs.

Brief description,

Full Trottle is 1.42km 180m elevation. KOM is 3.47 There is an open section towards the end that you can get in some pedals if you want to make time, "Bastard cat" (don't ask😂) is the shortest at 650m KOM is around 3 minutes. But that time will get blown out of it by the fast guys, especially if it dry. If its wet, the bottom 2 section is quite rooty, so that could be fun😂. "Thunderstruck" about 1.2k long, is a really fun trail. The top section "Cannonball run" Very small bit of bike park stuff in it, small jump that you can double, into a nice big double into a shark fin, big burm, into small double, that you have to scrub speed of before you go back into the trees as there's a drop into it, that's class, but if you're going to fast, the picture will be great to look at after 😂. The bottom section can get tricky in the wet also. There is a few nice little drops but everything is very rollable between all the trails.

There will be so snake little lines that may not be seen too. Most of it is straight forward, just follow the trail, however there may be parts of some of the trails that will be tape wide where they can, so there might be a option of two

Wailin

Excellent, sounds very good! Looking forward to this if I can make it. Had a small procedure done to knee today and they said 2 weeks before I can get back on the bike, which is the enduro!

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120559956#Comment_120559956

Thats not ideal really. Hopefully you'll be back in time..

Ceepo

Really looking forward to Sundays race. I was up there today to do some taping and bits and bobs. The trails look to be on absolutely mint condition.

We did have to take out a few timber features on Saturday, apparently some Karen reported them to Coiltte, bit of a panic as he wouldn't issue the permit until they were removed.

Forecast is also looking good. So hopefully everyone has a great day out.

Ceepo

https://youtu.be/8Hv-oKE0tmI

Here is a link to a little video clip that one of our club members done for the Grassroots enduro race held by Clonmel mountain bike club.

I hope you can get a sense of the day.

prunudo

Good voice for av work. Looks like a great day.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120632947#Comment_120632947

Yeah he came across very well. That was the former chairman, he kinda got land with the voice over thing and done it on the fly.

Ceepo

Interesting to see that Dree is going to be held over two day's this year. Serious logistics in doing that I'd imagine. Fair play to them

https://www.facebook.com/100063634089933/posts/pfbid02wMWKRc9uHcgQv9KhJweoHPWVWvzsJv7YtpgXm9SdCW4dmKJXB2AgcgvJCn1gqGeVl/

Ceepo

Entries for Bree are on sale at the moment

Wailin

Got an entry, looking forward to it, I've never been to bree.

Top Dog

Also managed to get an entry, also never been there before.

Fair play to Bree MTB Wexford for giving up their time and energy to do this over 2 days and allow a heap more people to enter as a result. Not sure I'll make it, but at least i have the entry done now so step 1 is complete at least.

Ceepo

Good stuff. Bree is a great place. I've been there a few times. All the trails start and finish in the same place. And the climb isn't that bad really.

I've got an entry for Saturday myself. Should be a good weekend down there.

prunudo

Never been to Bree, but have heard great things. Will the stages be similar to last year, will look on YouTube for videos.

Ceepo

I'd imagine that they will use "Isolation" and "Brothers from another mother" anyway after that I don't know. They have a load of options to choose from. Apparently they often use a combination of trails. It's a bit of a warren of trails there.

Ceepo

I see Hush sold out in minutes last night. I managed to get an entry even though I'm not 100% sure if I'll be there. It's mad that the sell out so fast. I believe that the Gravity had less than 100 entries.

Anyone else planning on doing it?

Wailin

Yes I got an entry too, looking forward to it. Any idea what trails will be used?

Ceepo, if you don't plan on going I know someone who will take your entry! Mate of mine missed out.

Ceepo

I was up there a few weeks ago, one of the locals said that I actually rode some of the trails but he said it could well be a mixture and didn't give any more information out🙄.

I actually know 2 looking as well. 😉. They limited the number of entries to 200 due to parking restrictions. So that's what a good few missed out

Top Dog

Didn't even try this time. Would have had to take 2 days off work to attend. Gonna try do the last 2 Gravity events and then next year make a proper effort to do grassroots too.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121042870#Comment_121042870

Keep an eye out on grassroots FB page. I believe that there will be more spots released on Wednesday evening 😉

prunudo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121067424#Comment_121067424

Saw that, was wondering were they going to release a few more spaces.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121067510#Comment_121067510

Apparently the numbers were limited due to parking, but they have managed to get more parking sorted out

Wailin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121067424#Comment_121067424

Fair play for the heads up ceepo!

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121069859#Comment_121069859

No problem at all 👍

prunudo

Did you guys make it down yesterday. Grassroots events were pretty unlucky with the weather this year.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121127442#Comment_121127442

Unfortunately I didn't get to go. I didn't fancy the approx 5hr round trip, to get a soaking. I hear the trails stood up pretty good all the same.

Yeah for sure the weather certainly didn't help GR this year. Clonmel was by far the driest of them all.

Guess that's it then fir this year. I'm considering doing the gravity in Cahir this weekend as its local enough to me. I'm just finding it hard to justify the cost over and above Grassroots. The mash up is basically the same thing but €20 more expensive 🙄

prunudo

Next year could be interesting. Gravity Enduro needs to change something because they're not getting the numbers compared to Grass Roots. Also by all accounts the standard of trail is better from the GR series.

I do like the orginal GE format (classic) but it seems to have lost its magic since covid. Its gone a bit stale imo, of the 3 events I attended this year, the Djouce stages weren't as enjoyable as Bree and Hush.

And Djouce has good trails, so not sure what the answer is.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121127660#Comment_121127660

To be honest I'm fairly new to mountain biking. So I can't really comment on it. I've done 3 of the Grassroots this year and really enjoyed them. I also done the mash up in Cahir last year. Totally bias opinion but Clonmel easy fantastic. (conditions helped) and I know they're already planning next year's event.

For what I can gather, the cost is putting of some people doing Gravity, that and a few lads saying some of the trails weren't much better that bike centre stuff.

Edit. Just had a look there. It's €75.00 for the classic and €55.00 for the mash up.

prunudo

I suppose to call a spade a spade, djouce was boring and predictable, more or less same stages from previous years, no surprises. And next to no trail maintenance or prep.

To be fair its a bit harder for GE because they run 5 stages but with GR only running 3 they can mix up the trails, utilise different sections and keep it interesting.

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121127774#Comment_121127774

I think the biggest difference there is GR is club run. So they can put the work into the trails for weeks before hand if needed. I believe GE is privately run and they just come in a few days before so there is less time to change things up. I know Clonmel are hoping to hold. GE next year as well as GR, these for the most part will be on completely different trails. As there's plenty of choice. But some of the members were saying that it's down to GE which trails they use.

Wailin

I made it down to Hush, but it did take a lot of self motivation to drag myself out if the bed with the rain hammering off the window! 230 tickets sold and only 182 turned up. Disappointing, as I knew a few lads who missed out on tickets and were dying to enter.

As for the stages, I don't agree that they held up well. Stage 2 in particular, which was a new trail, got badly cut up as the morning went on. The cute lads hit stage 2 first, knowing the mess it would be in later!

I had a poor run, only myself to blame. Just couldn't adapt to the conditions at all. I normally do each stage twice but just did them once and headed home. Didn't ride any stage cleanly so lost a good bit of time. I was flying on stage 3, rode the gnarly bits well but bloody came off near the end on a straightforward corner. Just came in too fast and overshot.

Conditions just got worse after that, the rain was pelting down so tucked tail between my legs and packed in. None of my club mates got tickets so riding around on my own in those conditions, I just did not enjoy it.

Fair play to Hush though for the organising, they can't help the weather and I pitied the marshalls having to stand there for hours in those conditions. It was great that they added in new sections and a new trail, made it interesting. A lot of work was put in by Hush MTB and they deserve credit for that. Such a shame about the weather, a week earlier it would have been bone dry but that's the joy of mtb in ireland!

Ceepo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121127870#Comment_121127870

"Disappointing, as I knew a few lads who missed out on tickets and were dying to enter."

Feel guilty for not going now.

Wailin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121127910#Comment_121127910

Don't feel guilty ceepo, I was almost another one who didn't turn up! Really had to drag myself out of a lovely warm bed.